For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public middle schools serving 817 students in Lawrence County, SD.
The top ranked public middle schools in Lawrence County, SD are Atall Elementary - 17, Elm Springs Elementary - 13 and Opal Elementary - 15. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lawrence County, SD public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the South Dakota public middle school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 52% (versus the 49% statewide average). Middle schools in Lawrence County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of South Dakota public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 13% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public middle school average of 42% (majority American Indian).
Best Public Middle Schools in Lawrence County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
Atall Elementary - 17
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
16375 Atall Rd
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Grades: K-8
| 7 students
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
Elm Springs Elementary - 13
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
21309 Elm Springs Rd
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Grades: K-8
| 11 students
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
Opal Elementary - 15
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
18010 Opal Rd
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Grades: K-8
| 14 students
Rank: #44.
Hereford Elementary - 08
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
15998 Cross S Rd
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Grades: K-8
| 13 students
Rank: #55.
Spearfish Academy At Canyon Hills Elementary - 09
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2519 Windmill Dr
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1229
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1229
Grades: 4-8
| 7 students
Rank: #66.
Central Meade County School - 09
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
19625 Ball Field Road
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Grades: K-8
| 48 students
Rank: #77.
Spearfish Middle School - 05
(Math: 45% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1600 N Canyon
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1215
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 717-1215
Grades: 6-8
| 573 students
Rank: #88.
Lead-deadwood Middle School - 02
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
234 S Main St
Lead, SD 57754
(605) 717-3898
Lead, SD 57754
(605) 717-3898
Grades: 6-8
| 144 students
Rank: n/an/a
Black Hills Academy At Canyon Hills - 08
Alternative School
2519 Windmill Dr
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 347-4467
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 347-4467
Grades: 4-8
| n/a students
Lawrence County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Black Hills Education Connection - 03 High School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
2910 4th Ave
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 347-4467
Spearfish, SD 57783
(605) 347-4467
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Po Box 16
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Grades: K-8
| 8 students
Po Box 16
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Whitewood, SD 57793
(605) 269-2264
Grades: K-8
| 3 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public middle schools in Lawrence County, SD?
The top ranked public middle schools in Lawrence County, SD include Atall Elementary - 17, Elm Springs Elementary - 13 and Opal Elementary - 15.
How many public middle schools are located in Lawrence County?
9 public middle schools are located in Lawrence County.
What is the racial composition of students in Lawrence County?
Lawrence County public middle schools minority enrollment is 13% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Dakota public middle schools average of 42% (majority American Indian).
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.